Scientists discover how to make robots walk on water
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South Korean scientists have found a method to walk or bounce of water without sinking from observing water strider insects. They plan to devise robots that will mimic the water strider’s behavior in water.
Water strider is one of the fastest moving insects in the world. It can travel up to 100 times the length of its body in just one second equivalent to 400 miles per hour in human terms. It can jump into water and walk on the surface without sinking.
Researchers from South Korea’s Seoul National University have analyzed the water strider and have discovered a way by which they can create robots that can behave the same like the strider. The water strider uses its long legs to help evenly distribute its tiny body weight. The weight is distributed over a large area so that the fragile skin formed by surface tension supports the bug on the water.
The researchers found that the strider had water repellent legs and with further analysis they were able to find at what speeds the insect hits the water and able to remain afloat in the water.
The researchers were able to find theoretical speeds at which any water repellent sphere can walk or bounce on water without sinking.
They will build such robots in the near future. However, similar robots have already been developed by Carnegie Mellon University. They have developed a small spider robot shown in the video and also in the picture above and demonstrated how they walk in water like the strider.
The Korean scientists expect the robot to inspect or monitor water quality in small pools of water or they may use it for spy applications.
The video shows some of the robot creations inspired by nature.
Robots inspired by Nature
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Comments
Most miraculous indeed, and all are necessary to life on this planet - the living beings. How about robots? Useful too I hope. And maybe fun.
There is a company forming somewhere that seeks to sell robots friends to the lonley.
Lol patty I think I need one of them, my partner spend most of hes time on the computer playing css
Great hub enjoyed reading it
You are absolutely right CompuSmart, we have to respect every living creature. Sometimes if I find them inside the house I take them outside and leave it there. Nature has a lot of answers for us, only we should respect it.
Patty, yes, in Japan I heard they are trying to make robots to help the senior citizens, it is possible, but still I think the relatives should take care of them in the end.
Thanks Gabriella.
Toyota have invented a robot who can play the Violin.
Rest easy it is only to sell more cars, they are not going to sell it today. Which sound like political speak, will do it tomorrow.
A very well put together hub
Thank you
gr8 hub,Keep it up.
Good article. They are becoming more inventive all the time.
Our high-school has a 'Robotics' club. The young people belonging are winning awards allover north-america. Their latest attempt was for one of their "robots" to walk on uneven ground...it scans the ground in front of itself determines how deep etc all in a split second before even moving...Technology just never seizes to amaze me...
Great HUB
regards Zsuzsy
working
compu-smart says:
8 months ago
Cool. I think that everything in life from medicinal cures to technological inventions can all be acquired/learned from nature such as little creepy crawlies as mentioned above to botanicals....That is why all living things such as pests that are normally stepped on should be respected!